Justin Juenemann is a backup kicker of University of Minnesota football team

A Football Player With A Good Heart

Justin Juenemann is a backup kicker of University of Minnesota football team. He has never played in a game in four years, but that doesn't mean he hasn't made an impact.

The backup kicker dedicates his life to helping kids at the Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis helping kids.

Little did Justin knew, all his after school activities haven't gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches. They've decided to surprise him with a full scholarship for his final season. 

The backup kicker dedicates his life to helping kids at the Masonic Children's Hospital in Minneapolis

They invited Kyle Tanner, a teenager at the hospital who has a rare blood marrow disease, to speak in front of Justin's team. He singled out Juenemann as his favorite player. Tanner noted that Juenemann is the player he has seen at the hospital the most.

The coach handed Kyle a T-shirt gun and told him to fire it to Justin, and unraveled a message written on the front -- "Justin, congrats you have earned a scholarship." Then the team went wild and hoisted him onto their shoulders in celebration.

They invited Kyle Tanner, a teenager at the hospital who has a rare blood marrow disease

They invited Kyle Tanner, a teenager at the hospital who has a rare blood marrow disease, to speak in front of Justin's team. He singled out Juenemann as his favorite player. Tanner noted that Juenemann is the player he has seen at the hospital the most.

The coach handed Kyle a T-shirt gun and told him to fire it to Justin, and unraveled a message written on the front -- "Justin, congrats you have earned a scholarship." Then the team went wild and hoisted him onto their shoulders in celebration.

"Justin, congrats you have earned a scholarship."

Juenemann screamed with joy and even Facetime his mom to tell her about the surprise he got from the team. "It was an amazing feeling. It is something that I will never forget" said Justin.
According to Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, their goal was to create a memory for Justin and his family because aside from being a good son, that's what he earned -- helping other people.

He also said "I've never seen anybody serve and give more than that guy, who is not a star player, who hasn't played, where his face is recognizable. He could easily just not do it, and nobody would ever say anything, and all he does is continue to keep his oar in the water, (and) live that holistic life academically, athletically, socially and spiritually."

"His life is not about him. His life is about serving and giving to other people".

"His life is not about him. "His life is about serving and giving to other people," Coach Fleck added.  The scholarship for Justin's final year will help him continue to help other people.

When asked what this opportunity opened up for Justin he said that he is pursuing a human resources degree, and is looking to continue helping people.

Thank you, Justin, for being an inspiration and to the team and the people who are around you. 

“Sooner or later, you realize that real fulfillment comes only from helping others. All of the rest is just temporary.”

- Elie Tahari